Surviving A Grizzly Attack

How A Grizzly Attack Completely Changed One Man For The Better

How does a survivor of a bear attack return to the scene of the crime as though nothing had ever happened?

As it turns out, there's a reason race car drivers and skydivers get back to what they do after horrible accidents — it's because, to a large degree, we are what we do. It's no different for a man who grew up fishing all over Canada and Alaska with his father, who's most comfortable and connected to the world when he's floating along the banks of his favorite river. As Bigley puts it, the bear had forcefully taken his sight; being too scared or unwilling to enjoy his beloved pastimes as a result of that would mean the bear had taken not only his vision but a huge part of his personality.

Bigley, back on the river.

Closure also came into play. Scary as it must have been to return that first time, Bigley's successful forays back into the wilderness helped drive home the fact that what happened to him was random. It wasn't because he'd asked for it by going into bear territory or because he hadn't taken precautions. It was just bad luck — like being struck by lightning while walking to your car during a storm.

Not only was Bigley able to keep his promise to Amber the day he went back on the river, but he managed to catch himself a nice 40-pound king.